Monospecific antibodies against a subunit of fibrinogen

Abstract

The invention provides monospecific antibodies which are specifically reactive with the alpha E subunit of fibrinogen or a fragment thereof, but not with other portions of the fibrinogen molecule. The invention also provides anti- alpha E probes, including monospecific anti- alpha E antibodies which have been detectably labeled. In addition, the invention provides methods of using the monospecific antibodies for detection of the alpha E subunit and fragments thereof, as well as reagents and kits for performing the methods. Diagnostic methods for determining information associated with atherogenesis and/or thrombogenesis, as well as for determining information associated with pregnancy status or outcome. The invention further provides continuous cell lines which produce monospecific anti- alpha E antibodies.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of detecting fibrinogen which comprises: (1) contacting a testable system with an isolated monospecific antibody which specifically binds with the peptide consisting of FGSLNDEGEGEFWLG (SEQ ID NO:6) or GVVWVSFRGADYSLRAVRMKIRPLVTQ (SEQ ID NO:7); and   (2) measuring specific binding of said monospecific antibody to said peptide in the testable system, wherein specific binding of the monospecific antibody in said testable system is associated with the presence of fibrinogen, and wherein said testable system is an in vivo testable system.     
     
     
       2. A method for purifying fibrinogen, comprising: contacting a sample containing fibrinogen with a composition comprising a monospecific antibody produced by a hybridoma cell line selected from the group consisting of hybridoma cell line #3-10, hybridoma cell line #29- 1, and hybridoma cell line #148-B, said monospecific antibody specifically binds with the α E  subunit of fibrinogen, under conditions conducive to binding of fibrinogen with said monospecific antibody, and selectively removing fibrinogen bound to said monospccific antibody from said sample.   
     
     
       3. The method of claim 2, wherein said monospecific antibody is soluble. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim 2, wherein said monospecific antibody is suspended in a fluid phase. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim 2, wherein said monspecific antibody is attached to a solid phase. 
     
     
       6. A method for purifying fibrinogen, comprising: contacting a sample containing fibrinogen with an isolated monospecific antibody which specifically binds with the peptide consisting of FGSLNDEGEGEFWLG (SEQ ID NO:6) or GVVWVSFRGADYSLRAVRMKIRPLVTQ (SEQ ID NO:7) of the α E  subunit of fibrinogen, under conditions conducive to binding of fibrinogen with said monospecific antibody, and selectively removing fibrinogen bound to said monospecific antibody from said sample.   
     
     
       7. The method of claim 6, wherein said monospecific antibody is soluble. 
     
     
       8. The method of claim 6, wherein said monospecific antibody is suspended in a fluid phase. 
     
     
       9. The method of claim 6, wherein said monspecific antibody is attached to a solid phase.